C-27J Spartan to join PAF

As Indonesia wins procurement for a spy plane

September 11, 2012

The Department of National Defence has selected Italy to supply three medium-sized military transport aircraft manufactured by Alenia Aeronautica, while Indonesia was awarded  the long-range maritime patrol and surveillance plane, says Peter Paul Galvez, DND spokesman.

"It is just a matter of approval now by the President" says Galvez. Once President Aquino approves the acquisition, the planes would strengthen the country’s air force and heightened navy's maritime domain awareness.

The Alenia C-27J Spartan is a medium-sized military transport STOL aircraft built by Alenia Aeronautica having the same engines and systems of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.

The C-27J was selected because of its communality with existing C-130 frames of the Philippine Air Force thereby minimizing cost for maintenance procedures, and at the same time training personnel for future C-130J acquisitions.

Meanwhile, CASA/IPTN CN-235 MPA is a medium-range twin-engined transport plane that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and Indonesian manufacturer IPTN, part of Airbus Military, as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport.

CN-235 MPA was chosen because of its ability to stay in the air longer which is good for maritime surveillance and its capability to double as a military transport. Its rear ramp access made the choice easier compared to the ATR-42MP says the DND spokesman.

The CN-235 MPA can be fitted with the Seaspray 4000 radar from BAE Systems, the AN/APS-134 from Raytheon or the Ocean Master 100 from Thales. DND did not disclose what radar they will fit in the plane.

“The long-range patrol aircraft would be devoted solely to conducting maritime surveillance.” says Galvez.

The surveillance plane has a crew of two, a pilot and co-pilot, and can carry 44 passengers and a payload of 13,120 pounds with a cruising speed of 454 kilometers per hour and a range of 2,730 nautical miles.